Forklifts are utilized to lift, engage and transport palletized loads within warehousing, manufacturing, material handling, mining and construction applications. There are 3 main kinds of lift trucks: a fork truck, manual drive and motorized drive. The load movement or travel is powered manually or by walking at the back of the equipment with manual-drive lift trucks.
The motorized forklift models come equipped with a motorized drive and in many cases have a seat or protected cab in their design to keep the operator comfortable and safe. Fork trucks are another type that are motorized and include features such as backup alarms and cabs. In order to prevent the vehicle from overturning, some forklifts are counterbalanced. Other types of forklifts comprise safety rails, a rotating element such as a turntable or different types of hand rails.
Important specifications to take into account when choosing forklifts include lift capacity and stroke. Stroke is defined as the difference between the fully-lowered and the fully-raised lift positions. Lift capacity is the maximum, supportable load or forcforce or load. Other specifications for forklifts comprise their tire and fuel type.
Different fuel options for lift trucks consist of: liquid propane or LPG, CNG or compressed natural gas, diesel fuel, propane, gasoline and natural gas. There are 2 basic kinds of tires for operating forklifts and fork trucks: pneumatic and solid. Cushion or solid tires need less maintenance compared to pneumatic tires and do not puncture. The cushion or solid tires do provide less shock absorption in general. Pneumatic or air-inflated tires on the other hand offer excellent drive traction and load-cushioning.
For forklifts, there are 7 classes. Class 1 lift trucks incorporate electric-motor rider trucks, seated or stand-up 3 wheeled units. Typically, rider units may have either cushion or pneumatic wheels and are counterbalanced. Class II forklifts are electric motor units which are utilized for order picking or stock applications in narrow aisle setting. These types of forklifts provide extra reach functions or swing mast.
Forklift Class III lift trucks consist of standing-rider or walk-behind operated electric-motor trucks. Automated pallet lift trucks and high lift models are often counterbalanced units. Class IV lift trucks have cabs and seated controls. These models are rider fork trucks with IC or internal combustion engines. In addition, this class has solid or cushion tires.
Rider fork Trucks are incorporated in Class V. These machines would have cabs and seated controls, pneumatic tires and internal combustion or IC engines. Like Class IV forklifts, they are normally counterbalanced. Class VI lift trucks are tow tractor lifts which are designed for a sit-down rider. This particular class is supplied with electric or IC or internal combustion engines.
Finally, Class VII lift trucks are the ideal choice for use on rough terrain areas. They are a common feature in construction, logging and agricultural applications. Class VII lift trucks include all burden carriers and personnel carriers.